Driver, fastener and forming tool

ABSTRACT

A device for use in a torque transmitting system including a driver having a specially configured driver end and a fastener having a specially configured recess for receiving the end of the driver, wherein the respective externally configured and internally configured components include a body having an axis in which the body has an outer polygonal cross section defined by a perimeter wall, an inner polygonal central portion positioned within the perimeter wall and having an area less than the area of the outer polygonal cross section; a drive wall which forms a portion of the perimeter wall and extends on a plane from a proximal end outwardly from the polygonal central portion to a distal end; a first outer wall forming another portion of the perimeter wall has a proximal end joining the distal end of the drive wall at an angle which may be less than 900 and a distal end terminating on the perimeter wall. The system includes a fastener driver, a threaded fastener having a recess for receiving the end of the fastener driver and a forming tool for forming a recess in the head of the fastener.

[0001] This applications is a continuation-in-part of Driver, Fastenerand Forming Tool application Ser. No. 09/264,480 filed Mar. 8, 1999.

[0002] This invention relates to a drive system wherein a firstcomponent such as a fastener driver applies a driving torque to a secondcomponent such as a threaded fastener, and a third component such as aforming tool for forming a recess in one of said first or secondcomponents with a modified polygonal interfit.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Following the introduction and mass use of the power fastenerdriver on the factory assembly lines in the late 1930s and early 1940s,a revolution in one of the oldest mechanical inventions of man occurred.The defining change was the massive torque applied by the power fastenerdriver. The last decade has seen the power fastener driver come into thehands of every journeyman craftsman and a high proportion of“do-it-yourselfers” due to the proliferation of relatively inexpensiveand portable power fastener drivers.

[0004] The prior art has defined the parameters of the ultimate powerdriver and screw as follows: 1) A bit capable of delivering and athreaded fastener capable of receiving high torque forces; 2) A driverbit possessing a large central portion capable of reliably andrepeatedly transmitting high torque forces; 3) A driver bit andinterfitting threaded fastener configuration subject to low cam-out(also known as low rock-out) and 4) A driver and threaded fastenerinterfit having high stick-fit obviating the need for a magnetized bitand its concomitant problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention discloses a fastener driver bit andthreaded fastener which match the potential of the power fastenerdriver.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a fastenerdriver bit which can transmit high torque forces to the head of athreaded fastener capable of receiving high torque forces by presentinga unique geometric recessed or external head configuration which is herecharacterized as “modified polygonal”, and in more specific examples a“modified square”.

[0007] A further object is to provide a fastener driver bit which canreliably and repeatedly deliver high torque to a threaded fastener dueto a large central portion in the recess or external head and driverwall backed by a large support area.

[0008] A still further object is provide a fastener driver bit andinterfitting threaded fastener recess head configuration which minimizes“cam out” due primarily to an asymmetrical configuration.

[0009] Another object is to provide a driver bit and interfittingthreaded fastener configuration which minimizes wobble between thefastener and the driver as the fastener is being driven.

[0010] Still another object is to provide a “stick fit” between thedriver bit and threaded fastener which eliminates the need for amagnetized bit, due primarily to registering broad axially taperedwalls.

[0011] Another object is to provide a configuration wherein the fastenerdriver bit and treaded fastener can be mass produced inexpensively andreliably.

[0012] Still another object is provide a driver bit and interfittingthreaded fastener configuration in which the fastener can be quickly andeasily attached to the driver bit, carried to the location of thefastener , inserted by a power drill, and sunk to the desired locationand the driver bit can be easily released from the threaded fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a portion of a drive tool ofthe present invention positioned in alignment for insertion into therecess of a fastener of the present invention with portions of thefastener cut away for clarification of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the drive tool and fastener ofFIG. 1 fully engaged. Portions of the drive tool and fastener areremoved for clarification of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the invention taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1 with portions of the screw head in cross section. A square inphantom line is superimposed on the screw recess to illustrate the“modified square” configuration of the recess. The square in phantomline also graphically illustrates the ability of the fastener to berotated by a driver having a square configuration.

[0016]FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view taken along 3A-3A in fourlocations on FIG. 3.

[0017]FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view taken along 3B-3B in 3 locationsin FIG. 3.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the invention taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 2 with portions of the screw head and driver in cross section tomore clearly illustrate the invention. A square in phantom line issuperimposed on the cross section to more clearly illustrate the“modified square” relationship of the invention to a geometric square.

[0019]FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view taken along line 4A-4A at fourlocations on FIG. 4.

[0020]FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view taken along line 4B-4B at threelocations on FIG. 4.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an example fastener of thepresent invention with portions of the head in cross section to moreclearly illustrate the invention.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the head of the fastener illustratedin FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of the arrows on line 6-6. Aphantom square is superimposed on the screw recess to illustrate acomparison between the “modified recess” of the present invention and ageometric square.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an example driver having an endportion constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a portion of the driverillustrated in FIG. 7 as viewed from the direction o the arrows on line8-8 of FIG. 7.

[0025]FIG. 9 is an end view of the driver illustrated in FIG. 7 asviewed from the direction of the arrows on line 9-9 in FIG. 7. A phantomsquare is superimposed in the recess portion to illustrate a comparisonbetween the “modified polygonal” recess of the present invention and ageometric square.

[0026]FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a forming tool, punch or bodyused in forming the recess in the fastener head of the presentinvention. Portions are illustrated in cross section to further clarifythe invention.

[0027]FIG. 11 is an end view of the forming tool illustrated in FIG. 10as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line 11-11. A phantomsquare is superimposed within the fastener recess for the same reasonasserted above. A portion of the view is in cross section where theforming tool is crossed by line 11-11.

[0028]FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of an example forming toolsimilar to the forming tool illustrated in FIG. 10 with portions cutaway to better illustrate the construction of end of the forming tool.

[0029]FIG. 13 is an end view of the forming tool illustrated in FIG. 12taken in the direction of the arrows along line 13-13. A phantom squareis superimposed on the “modified square recess” of the present inventionfor the reasons set forth above.

[0030]FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating how the forming tool ofFIG. 12 is used with other tooling (illustrated in cross section) toform the recess of the present invention in an example fastener.

[0031]FIG. 15 is a side view of another form of fastener formed with ahead illustrating an external form of the present invention. Portions ofthe head are cut away to illustrate the configuration of the fastenerhead.

[0032]FIG. 16 is an end view of the fastener illustrated in FIG. 15taken in the direction of the arrows along line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

[0033]FIG. 17 is a side view of a nut having an externally configureddrive surface of the present invention. A portion of the nut is cut awayto illustrate the invention.

[0034]FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of the nut illustrated in FIG.17 taken along line 18-18.

[0035]FIG. 19 is an exploded side elevation view of another use of theinvention showing a fastener having a head with an externalconfiguration of the present invention being driven by a socket memberformed with an internal recess of the present invention with the otherend formed with a recess using the configuration of the presentinvention with the upper member illustrating a driver for insertion intothe upper recess of the socket member.

[0036]FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the socket illustrated in FIG. 19taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

[0037]FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view taken along line 21-21 of FIG.19.

[0038]FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a fastener having a recessillustrating a modified form of the invention.

[0039]FIG. 22A is a cross section taken along lines 22A-22A at fourdifferent locations in FIG. 22.

[0040]FIG. 22B is a cross section taken along lines 22B-22B at threedifferent locations in FIG. 22.

[0041]FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a fastener having a recessillustrating another modified form of the invention

[0042]FIG. 23A is a cross section taken along lines 23A-23A at twodifferent locations on FIG. 23.

[0043]FIG. 23B is a cross section taken along lines 23B-23B at twodifferent locations on FIG. 23.

[0044]FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a fastener having a recessillustrating still another modified form of the invention.

[0045]FIG. 24A is a cross section taken along lines 24A-24A at fivedifferent locations on FIG. 24.

[0046]FIG. 24B is a cross section taken along lines 24B-23B at threedifferent locations on FIG. 24.

[0047]FIG. 25 is a top plan view of a fastener having a recessillustrating a still further modified form of the invention.

[0048]FIG. 25A is a cross section taken along lines 25A-25A at twodifferent locations on FIG. 25.

[0049]FIG. 25B is a cross section taken along lines 25B-25B at threedifferent locations on FIG. 25.

[0050]FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a fastener having a recessillustrating still another modified form of the invention.

[0051]FIG. 26A is a cross section taken along lines 26A-26A on FIG. 25.

[0052]FIG. 26B is a cross section taken along lines 26B-26B at twodifferent locations on FIG. 26.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] When used in this specification, the word driver most commonlyrefers to a power driver of either the fixed type used in assemblylines, electrical powered used by journeyman workers or portable typespowered by batteries used by professional and non-professional persons.The driver may also be a manual tool. The driver may be used to drivescrews or bolts, whether with recesses or raised externalconfigurations.

[0054] Threaded fasteners includes screws and bolts having eitherrecessed or raised configurations.

[0055] Forming tool as used herein is a punch-like tool used to make therecess in either the fastener or the driver. An example of a formingtool is illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0056] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1-11 and the invention will be primarily described with respectthereto.

[0057] With respect to the fastener and drive tool, the drawingsillustrate a particular application of the invention wherein thefastener is provided with a recess or socket having an internalconfiguration in accordance with the principles of the invention, whilethe complementary externally shaped components are in the form of adrive tool. Those skilled in the art will readily realize that thissituation could be reversed in that the fastener could employ theexternal configuration in accordance with the invention while the drivetool would be in the form of a socket element having a complimentaryinternal configuration.

[0058] Directing attention to FIGS. 1, and 2 there is illustrated afastener and drive tool arrangement in accordance with the concepts ofthe present invention. The fastener or body is designated generally 1,and includes an elongated shank 2 having a thread 3 formed thereon andan axis 4. An end 5 of the fastener 1 is provided with an enlarged orheaded portion 6 having a recess or drive socket 7 formed therein. Adrive tool or body 1′ is also illustrated, which has an end portion 8′that is configured to a complementary shape to the recess 7 and is thusengageable therein such that the drive tool 1′ can impart driving forcesto the fastener 1.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 10, a forming tool, punch, or body 1″ isillustrated having an end 10″ portion with an end 5″ configured to formthe recess 7 in fastener 1.

[0060] In the description that follows, to reduce the number of partnumber designations and to make it easier to follow the description ofthe invention, the following conventions have been adopted. Identicalnumbers have been adopted for like parts in referring to the fastener,the driver and the forming tool, but differ in that a single prime (′)is added to the driver and a double prime (″) has been added to theforming tool. This convention will be followed most closely in FIGS.1-11.

[0061] The article of manufacture for use in a torque transmittingsystem or the fabrication of components for such a system includes: abody 1,1′, or 1″ including an axis 4, 4′, or 4″; the body 1, 1′, or 1″having a modified polygonal cross section 11, 11′, or 11″ defined by aperimeter wall 12, 12′, or 12″; a polygonal central portion 13, 13′, or13″ positioned within the perimeter wall 12, 12′, or 12″ and having anarea less than the area of the modified polygonal cross section 11, 11′,or 11″; a drive wall 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′, or 14″ forming aportion of the perimeter wall 12, 12′ or 12″ extending on a plane from aproximal end 15, 15′ or 15″ outwardly from the polygonal central portion13, 13′, or 13″ to a distal end 16, 16′ or 16″; a first outer wall 17,17′, or 17″ forming another portion of the perimeter wall 12, 12″, or12″ and disposed at an angle 19, 19′, or 19″ to drive wall 14 ₁, 14 ₂,14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′, or 14″ and having a distal end 20, 20′ or 20″terminating on the perimeter wall 12, 12′, or 12″ and a proximal end 18,18′ or 18″ joining the distal end 16, 16′ or 16″ of the drive wall 14 ₁,14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′ or 14″. Each of the drive walls of the fastenerhave been designated. In the interests of brevity, only one of the drivewalls for the driver 1′ has been designated by the number 14′. In linemanner, only one of the drive walls for the tooling 1″ has beendesignated by the number 14″. It is to be understood that preferably thedriver 1′ has the same number of drive walls as the fastener 1. Ofcourse, the tooling 1″ has the same number of drive walls as thefastener 1.

[0062] The foregoing paragraph may be best understood by referring toone form of threaded fastener viz., a screw which is illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The description of the foregoing paragraph also refersto one form of driver viz., a screw driver bit for a power driver (notshown). The description is not repeated as like parts for the driverillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are indicated by the same numbers exceptthey are followed by the prime mark (′). The description of theforegoing paragraph also refers to one form of tooling; viz. a punch forforming a recess in a screw fastener. The description is not repeated aslike parts for the punch illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 are indicated bythe same numbers except they are followed by the double prime mark (″).

[0063] The polygonal central portion of fastener 1, generally shown by abroken line and designated by the number 13, may be made up of anynumber of straight lines, such as 13, shown in FIG. 3 and 13′₁ shown inFIG. 4, of different lengths, but preferably the polygonal centralportion 13 is formed with a symmetrical configuration. Thisconfiguration may be a triangle, pentagon, hexagon or configuration ofmore straight lines, but the preferred embodiment is a square for thefastener 1, for the driver 1′, and for the tool 1″.

[0064] The term “drive wall” identified by the number 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃,and 14 ₄ for the fastener; 14′ for the driver; and 14″ for the tool, inthis application, is used to indicate the main wall used to transmit orreceive torque. For the tool, the drive wall 14″ indicates the wallcorresponding to the main torque receiving wall of the fastener. Thelocation of the drive wall determines the efficiency of the drive systemin transmitting rotational torque to the fastener. While almost allpositions of the drive wall will transmit some torque, torque isoptimized when the drive wall 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′ and 14″ is ona plane generally on a radial axis 22 ₁ or 22 ₂, 22 ₁′ or 22 ₂′, and 22₁″ or 22 ₂″ of the axis 4 of the fastener; 4′, of the driver; and 4″ ofthe tool respectively. This maximum force is illustrated in FIG. 3wherein force arrow 9 represents the magnitude and direction of forceexerted by a driver (not shown) on drive wall 14 ₃. An identical force 9is also exerted on drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂ and 14 ₄.

[0065] The perimeter wall 12, 12′ or 12″ of the present invention is notlimited to any specific number of sides. Preferably the perimeter wall12, 12′, or 12″ includes a plurality of drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14₄, 14′, or 14″ which are preferably on a radially axial plane 22, 22′,or 22″ as discussed above. There may be any number from 1 through 6 ormore, but four drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′, or 14″ has beenfound to be a number which gives satisfactory results. Preferably thereis at least one first outer wall 17, 17′, or 17″ for each drive wall 14₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′, or 14″ with each proximal end 15, 15′, or 15″respectively joining the distal ends 16, 16′ or 16″ of the respectivedrive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′, or 14″. Preferably, a pluralityof second outer walls 23, 23′, or 23″ are provided having proximal ends24, 24′, or 24″ respectively joined to each of the distal ends 20, 20′,or 20″ of the first outer walls 17, 17′, or 17″ and have distal ends 25,25′, or 25″ respectively joined to the proximal ends 15, 15′, or 15″ ofeach of the successive drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′, or 14″.

[0066] It has been found, as illustrated in the drawings, that theperimeter wall 12, 12′, or 12″ composed of four drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂,14 ₃, 14 ₄, 14′, or 14″ and four first outer walls 17, 17′, or 17″ givesexcellent results.

[0067] As an inherent benefit of the present configuration of theperimeter walls 12 the torque system of the present invention exhibitsexcellent resistance to “cam-out” which is also known as “rock-out”.This phenomenon is described in U.S. Pat. No. Re 24,878 granted to I. A.Smith on a Phillips type head with special offset grooves. No furtherexplanation appears needed in view of the explanation set forth in U.S.Pat. No. Re 24,878. Suffice it to say that oppositely directed pairs ofdrive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, and first outer walls 17 areoppositely configured so that the driver 1′ will be locked in the recess7 against any relative movement except withdrawal in a substantiallyaxial direction. In the present invention, anti-cam out can be achievedby simply configuring the perimeter wall 12 in an asymmetrical geometricconfiguration.

[0068] Another feature of the present invention is the ability of thescrew to “stick” to the driver without magnetizing either the driver orthe screw. This feature is achieved by tapering at least a portion ofthe perimeter wall 12 of the recess 7 of the fastener 1 in an inwarddirection in close registration with a matching similarly tapering wallon the perimeter wall 12′ of driver 1′.

[0069] Applicant is not claiming the invention of “stick-fit” per se,since the phenomenon of “stick-fit” is well known in the fastener art.Applicant is, however, claiming a fastener recess configuration whichachieves greater “stick-fit” than has been previously achieved. Inaddition, Applicant has invented a new fastener configuration, whichachieves greater “stick-fit” over a greater number of cycles of driversused to insert screws than ever before. In prior art systems, as thedriver is used over and over to insert hundreds of fasteners, the facesof the drivers used to achieve stick fit wear and the close toleranceregistrations required to achieve “stick-fit” slowly cease to exist.Applicant's ability to achieve this long lasting “stick-fit” resultsfrom the unique configuration of the perimeter wall 12 which includes atleast one wall which has a surface area greater than the surface area ofthe drive wall which is not used as the primary driver wall. Of course,Applicant provides a driver 1′ which also has at least one wall whichhas a surface area greater than the surface are of the drive wall whichis in close registration with the similar wall in the fastener recess.

[0070] To illustrate the foregoing, compare for example, the fastenerrecess configuration of U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,334 which was granted apatent over a well known commercial screw protected by U.S. Pat. No.5,279,190. The sole difference between the two patents is the additionof tiny triangular “stick-fit” walls in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,334patent by making a simple modification of the perimeter wall of U.S.Pat. No. 5,279,190. This minor modification resulted in “stick-fit”which is itself a major improvement of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,190patents.

[0071] A difference, however, between the U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,334 patentand the present invention is the fact that applicant can provide astick-fit wall having a much greater area than the stick-fit wallsachieved by U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,334. Further, Applicant's configurationis such that the stick-fit wall may be a wall which is not used as theprimary driver wall and thus does not wear as fast as the driver wall.Applicant's “stick-fit” wall may have a substantially greater area thanthe primary driver wall.

[0072] Finally, Applicant has discovered that a driver can be insertedinto the screw recess and the screw will stick to the driver even thoughvery little force is exerted on the screw by the driver, and the screwpoint is not in contact with the work piece into which it is beingdriven. for example, if the screw is to be driven into a surfacerecessed below the work surface, the driver will engage the recess inthe screw which is held by a plastic strip in an automatic feed device.The screw will stick to the driver with just the force needed to causethe screw to release from a standard screw feed strip. The screw willstick to the driver even though spinning at a high RPM and even thoughthe screw must be carried a distance before it reaches the work piece.

[0073] No other screw and driver combination is known to achieve suchhigh stick fit with such low screw and driver engaging pressure.

[0074] Preferably polygonal central portion 13, 13′ or 13″ is formedwith a symmetrical configuration for ease in insertion of the driverinto the recess of the fastener.

[0075] As shown in the drawings, the polygonal central portion 13, 13′,or 13″ is a square. A square configuration permits fasteners formed witha recess configuration of the present invention to be installed withdrivers having a standard square configuration. While this is not themost desirable way of inserting the fasteners of the present invention,it does permit a workman to use a square driver if he does not happen tohave a driver having the configuration of the present invention.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 3, it is preferred that drive wall 14 ₁,14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, of the fastener is located on a plane generally on aradial axis of the axis 22 ₁ of the body 1 of the fastener. Thisconfiguration ensures that the maximum torque of the driver 1′ will betransmitted through drive wall 14′ of the driver to the drive wall 14 ₁,14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄ of the fastener.

[0077] While the torque transmitting system of the present inventionwould be operable with only a single drive wall, obviously two or moredrive walls provides greater torque transmission. As shown, e.g. in FIG.3, perimeter wall 12 comprises a plurality of drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14₃, 14 ₄, namely four, each on a radially axial plane such as radial axes22 ₁ and 22 ₂. In like manner, it is preferable that there be aperimeter wall 12, comprising a plurality of first outer walls 17 witheach proximal end 18 respectively joining the distal ends 16 of theplurality of drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄, and a plurality ofsecond outer walls 23 having proximal ends 24 respectively joined toeach of the distal ends 20 of the first outer walls 17 and having distalends 25 respectively joined to the proximal ends 18 of each of thesuccessive driver walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄. Each of the drive walls14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14 ₄ have been labeled on the drawings, but only oneset of the other walls on perimeter 12 is labeled in the interests ofbrevity. In like manner, only one set of walls in the driver and thetool are labeled on FIGS. 4 and 11.

[0078] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, all of the forms of the inventionillustrated have perimeter walls 12, 12′ or 12″ which are asymmetrical.In comparison, the fastener recess in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,132 has a wallforming the internal configuration of the recess which is symmetrical.In the form of the invention described in this application, e.g. theforces of the driver on the recess of the fastener are markedlydifferent in clockwise and counterclockwise rotational directionswhereas the forces in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,132 exerted by a driver on therecess of the fastener are identical whether the force is appliedclockwise or counterclockwise.

[0079] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, it may be seen that at least aportion of the perimeter walls 12 in the recess of the fastener taperinwardly in an axial direction in close registration with a matchingsimilarly tapering wall 12′ on the perimeter of the driver. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, preferably, driver walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, and 14₄ are not tapered, while first outer walls 17 and second outer walls 23are tapered. It is possible that the number of walls that are taperedcould be reduced depending upon the amount of “stick-fit” that isrequired for a particular application. As shown in FIG. 4B, this tapermay, e.g. be 3°.

[0080] Preferably, the portion of perimeter walls 12 of the fastenerwhich taper are walls other than the driver wall 14′. This increases thearea of the driver walls 14′ which are exerting a torque force.

[0081] In order to maximize “stick-fit”, the number and areas ofperimeter walls 12 should be increased. Applicant has found that in manyapplications, to provide sufficient “stick-fit” and to providesufficient wall area for applying torque, all portions of the perimeterwall 12 and 12′ are tapered except the drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, 14₄ and 14′ which are on a plane vertical to the axis of the fastener.

[0082] The substantially non-driving portions of the perimeter wall ofthe fastener and the registering driver have an area substantiallygreater than the drive walls of the fastener and the registering driver.As set forth in FIG. 3 for example the areas of first outer wall 17 andsecond outer wall 23 combined are greater than the area of drive wall 14₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, and 14 ₄. Because the tapered walls 17 and 23 which causethe “stick-fit” are not used substantially to transmit torque, verylittle wear occurs on these walls, thus the function of “stick-it cansurvive many repeated uses of the driving tool.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, a fastener bolt 26 is illustratedformed with threads 27, a head flange 28 and a driving head 29 having aperimeter wall 112 with an external configuration identical to theinternal configuration of the recess illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0084] The fastener bolt 26 article of manufacture for use in a torquetransmitting system includes a body 101 including an axis 104; the body101 has a modified polygonal cross section 111 defined by a perimeterwall 112; a polygonal central portion 113 positioned within theperimeter wall 112 and has an area less than the area of the modifiedpolygonal cross section 111; a drive wall 114 forming a portion of theperimeter wall 112, extending on a plane from a proximal end 115outwardly from the polygonal central portion 113 to a distal end 116; afirst outer wall 117, forming another portion of the perimeter wall 112and disposed at an angle 119 to drive wall 114 and has a distal end 120terminating on the perimeter wall 112 and a proximal end 118 joining thedistal end 116 of the drive wall 114.

[0085] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, a fastener nut 36 is illustratedformed with internal threads 37, a head flange 38 and a driving head 39having a perimeter wall 212 with an external configuration identical tothe internal configuration of the recess illustrated in FIG. 3 and tothe external configuration of driving head 29 in FIG. 15.

[0086] The fastener nut 36 article of manufacture for use in a torquetransmitting system includes a body 201 including an axis 204; the body201 has a modified polygonal cross section 211 defined by a perimeterwall 212; a polygonal central portion 213 positioned within theperimeter wall 212 and has an area less than the area of the modifiedpolygonal cross section 211; a drive wall 214 forming a portion of theperimeter wall 212, extending on a plane from a proximal end 215outwardly from the polygonal central portion 213 to a distal end 216; afirst outer wall 217, forming another portion of the perimeter wall 212and disposed at an angle 219 to drive wall 214 and has a distal end 220terminating on the perimeter wall 212 and a proximal end 218 joining thedistal end 216 of the drive wall 214. It is to be understood that flange38 is not essential to the invention but is shown for illustrativepurposes only. The driving head 39 may be a straight wall as found onmost internally threaded driving nuts.

[0087] Referring, now, to FIGS. 15-18, the perimeter walls 112 and 212of the present invention are not limited to any specific number ofsides. Preferably the perimeter walls 112 and 212 include a plurality ofdrive walls 114 and 214 which are preferably on a radially axial plane122 and 222 as discussed above. There may be any number from 1 through 6or more, but four drive walls 114 or 214 has been found to be a numberwhich gives satisfactory results. Preferably, a plurality of secondouter walls 123, or 223 are provided having proximal ends 124 or 224respectively joined to each of the distal ends 120 or 220 of the firstouter walls 117 or 217 and have distal ends 125 or 225 respectivelyjoined to the proximal ends 115 or 215 of each of the successive driverwalls 114 or 214.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 19-21, an article of manufacture isillustrated for coupling with a driver 301′ at one end and coupling atthe other end with a fastener bolt 26 having an externally configureddriving head 29 wherein: the article is a coupling socket member 41having a pair of oppositely, but axially positioned recesses 307 and307′ in which one of the recesses 307 couples with the driver 301′ andthe other recess 307′ couples with the driving head 29 of the fastenerbolt 26.

[0089] The coupling socket member 41 includes: bodies 301 and 301′including an axis 304; the bodies 301 and 301′ each having a modifiedpolygonal cross section 311 and 311 ′ respectively defined by aperimeter wall 312 and 312′ respectively; a polygonal central portion313 and 313′ positioned within the respective perimeter walls 312 and312′ and having an area less than the area of the respective modifiedpolygonal cross sections 311 and 311′; drive walls 314, and 314′ forminga portion of the respective perimeter walls 312 and 312′ extending on aplane from a proximal end 315, and 315′ outwardly from the polygonalcentral portion 313 and 313′ to distal ends 316 and 316′; and firstouter walls 317 and 317′ forming another portion of the perimeter walls312 and 312′ and having proximal ends 318 and 318′ joining the distalends 316 and 316′ of the respective drive walls 314 and 314′ at angles319 and 319′ and distal ends 320 and 320′ terminating on the perimeterwalls 312 and 312′.

[0090] Still referring, to FIGS. 19-21, the perimeter walls 312 and 312′of the present invention are not limited to any specific number ofsides. Preferably the perimeter walls 312 and 312′ include a pluralityof drive walls 314 and 314′ which are preferably on a radially axialplane 322 and 322′ as discussed above. There may be any number from 1through 6 or more, but four drive walls 314 or 314′ has been found to bea number which gives satisfactory results. Preferably, a plurality ofsecond outer walls 323 or 323′ are provided having proximal ends 324 and324′ respectively joined to each of the distal ends 320 and 320′ of thefirst outer walls 317 and 317 and have distal ends 325 and 325′respectively joined to the proximal ends 315 and 315′ of each of thesuccessive driver walls 314 and 314′.

[0091]FIGS. 22 , 22A and 22B illustrate the first of five modified formsof the previously described invention. Although the geometry of theinvention is changed, the essence of the invention remains the same. Allof the five modified forms of the invention are based on claim one withcertain differences which will be set forth below. Because the essenceof the invention is the same, applicant has, for purposes of brevity,fully described only the fastener article. The driver article and thedrive tool article for the five modified forms are not illustrated sincethey follow the teachings of the fastener article as above described forthe preferred form of the invention. In other words, in all of themodified forms to be illustrated, the driver article is configured toregister with the recess in the fastener article, and the drive toolarticle or punch, as it is often called, is configured to form therecess in the fastener article.

[0092] Turning now to FIGS. 22, 22A and 22B specifically, the article ofmanufacture for use in a torque transmitting system or the fabricationof components for such a system includes: a body 401 including an axis404; the body 401 having a modified polygonal cross section 411 definedby a perimeter wall 412; a polygonal central portion 413 positionedwithin the perimeter wall 412 and having an area less than the area ofthe modified polygonal cross section 411; a drive wall 414 ₁, 414 ₂, 414₃, and 414 ₄ forming a portion of the perimeter wall 412 extending on aplane from a proximal end 415 outwardly from the polygonal centralportion 413 to a distal end 416; a first outer wall 417 forming anotherportion of the perimeter wall 412 and disposed at an angle 419 to drivewalls 414 ₁, 414 ₂, 414 ₃, and 414 ₄ and having distal ends 420terminating on the perimeter walls 412 and proximal ends 418 joining thedistal ends 416 of the drive walls 414 ₁, 414 ₂, 414 ₃, and 414 ₄.

[0093] The unique structure illustrated in FIG. 22 is the fact that thedistal ends 416 of the drive walls 414 ₁, 414 ₂, 414 ₃, and 414 ₄ andthe distal ends 420 of the first outer walls 417 lie on a common greatcircle 421 whose axis 404, is coincident with the axis 404 of the body401; and the drive walls 414 ₁, 414 ₂, 414 ₃, and 414 ₄ aresubstantially parallel to either the axis 422 ₁ or axis 422 ₂ bisectingthe adjacent walls of the polygonal central section 413. Thus as shownin FIG. 22, drive wall 414 ₁ is parallel to axial plane 422 ₁ bisectingperimeter line 413 ₁; drive wall 414 ₂ is parallel to axial plane 422 ₂bisecting perimeter line 413 ₂; drive wall 414 ₃ is parallel to axialplane 422 ₁ bisecting perimeter line 413 ₃; and drive wall 414 ₄ isparallel to axial plane 422 ₂ bisecting perimeter line 413 ₄. Theforegoing structure, maximizes the torque exerted by the driver on thescrew since the drive wall is further from the center of rotation in thepreviously described fasteners.

[0094] Force arrow 426 indicates the component of force exerted by adriver (not shown) exerted radially outwardly along radial axial plane429 against the side of the recess 407 of the fastener and whichintersects the intersection of drive walls 414 ₁, 414 ₂, 414 ₃, and 414₄ and first outer wall 417 but which does not result in any rotationalforce being transferred to the fastener. Arrow 427 indicates theresultant force line and arrow 428 represents the amount of rotationalforce exerted by the driver (not shown) on the fastener body 401.

[0095] Another structural feature of the fastener illustrated in FIG. 22is the fact that the recess is formed by a plurality of second outerwalls 423 having proximal ends 424 respectively joined to each of thedistal ends 420 of the first outer walls 417 and having distal ends 425respectively joined to the proximal ends 415 of each of the successivedrive walls 414 ₁, 414 ₂, 414 ₃, and 414 ₄ and the first outer wall 417is substantially longer than the second outer wall 423. This structuremaximizes the amount of material in the driver (not shown). Thus thedriver would have material falling within the area bounded by the linesforming drive wall 414, phantom line 413, forming one side of polygonalcentral portion 413 and first outer wall 417.

[0096]FIG. 22A illustrates that drive walls such as drive wall 414 ₁ areparallel to the axis 404 of the body of the fastener and FIG. 22Billustrates that first outer walls 417 and second outer walls 423 onperimeter wall 412 are slanted at about 3 degrees so that the fastenerbody 401 will “stick” to the driver (not shown), without the need formagnetizing the driver.

[0097] Force arrows 430, 431 and 432 represent the components of forceexerted at a given point on first outer wall 417 and in relation to anaxis line 433. Arrow line 430 represents the force exerted against theedge of the recess of the body 401 of the fastener and which contributesnothing to the rotation of the fastener body 401. Force arrow 431 is aresultant force and force arrow 432 represents the force exerted by adriver (not shown) against first outer wall 417 which results inrotation of the body 401 of the fastener. It is also to be understoodthat force arrow 432 when reversed 180° is the force at this particularpoint which would be exerted by a driver (not shown) when backing outthe body 401 of a fastener.

[0098] The structure illustrated in FIG. 23 is identical to thestructure illustrated in FIG. 22 except that the drive walls 514 ₁, 514₂, 514 ₃ and 514 ₄ lie along a radial axial plane 534 which emanatesfrom body axis 504. Radial axial plane 534 may be located at variousangles 535 from radial axial plane 522 ₁ which bisects perimeter line513 ₁ of polygonal central portion 513 but as illustrated in FIG. 23, anangle 535 of 22° works satisfactorily.

[0099] In the interests of brevity, like elements of FIG. 23 aredesignated by the same numbers set forth in FIG. 22 except that theelements of FIG. 22 are designated in a “400” series of numbers and theelements of FIG. 23 are designated in a “500” series of numbers. Adescription of FIGS. 23, 23A and 23B is therefor not repeated.

[0100] The rotational force imparted by a driver (not shown) on drivewalls 514 ₁, 514 ₂, 514 ₃, and 514 ₄ as represented by force arrow 509is maximized since it is acting in a direction at right angles to theradial axial plane 534.

[0101] Turning now to FIG. 25, another form of the invention. Thestructure illustrated in FIG. 25 is similar to the structure illustratedin FIG. 3 and in the interest of brevity the description of like partswill not be repeated. Like parts in FIG. 25 will be given the samenumber as in FIG. 3 except that the numbers of FIG. 25 will designatedin a “600” series of numbers.

[0102] The difference in the structure illustrated in FIG. 25 over thestructure of FIG. 3 is the fact that the distal ends 616 of drive walls614 ₁, 614 ₂, 614 ₃, and 614 ₄ and the distal ends 620 of first walls617 lie on a great circle 621 whose axis is coincident with the axis 604of body 601. As in FIG. 3, drive walls 614 ₁, 614 ₂, 614 ₃, and 614 ₄are on a plane generally on a radial axis 622 ₁ or 622 ₂. This resultsin providing drive walls 614 ₁, 614 ₂, 614 ₃, and 614 ₄ which are longerin length than the drive walls 14 ₁, 14 ₂, 14 ₃, and 14 ₄ of FIG. 3,thus providing a greater area of surface contact between the driver (notshown) and the fastener for transmitting rotational forces to thefastener.

[0103] Referring now to FIG. 26, still another modified form of theinvention is illustrated. This modified form of the invention isidentical to the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 25 exceptthat the drive walls 714 ₁, 714 ₂, 714 ₃, and 714 ₄ are angled 5° asillustrated in FIG. 26. In the interests of brevity, like parts in FIG.26 will be given the same number as in FIG. 25 except that the elementsof FIG. 26 are designated in a “700 series” instead of a “600 series”and the description will not be repeated. For example, when viewing anelement in FIG. 26, to determine the designation of the element and itsdescription, simply note the last two digits of the number and refer tothat number in the specification.

[0104] Specifically, the difference between the body 701 of FIG. 26 andthe body 601 in FIG. 25 is the fact that drive wall 714 ₁ is canted atan angle 745 ₁ of approximately 5° in a clock wise direction from radialaxial plane 722 ₁ which bisects perimeter line 713 ₁ of polygonalcentral portion 713. In like manner drive wall 714 ₂ is canted at anangle 745 ₂ of approximately 5° clockwise from radial axial plane 722 ₂which bisects perimeter line 713 ₂ of polygonal central portion 713;drive wall 714 ₃ is canted at an angle 745 ₃ of approximately 5°clockwise from radial axial plane 722 ₁ which bisects perimeter line 713₃ of polygonal central portion 713; and drive wall 714 ₄ is canted at anangle 745 ₄ of approximately 5° clockwise from radial axial plane 722 ₂which bisects perimeter line 713 ₄ of polygonal central portion 713.

[0105] Turning now to FIGS. 24, 24A and 24B, another modified form ofthe invention is illustrated. The modified form of the invention isidentical in concept to all the other forms of the invention illustratedand in the interests of brevity, like elements in FIG. 24 will be giventhe same two digit number as in the other Figures except that theelements of FIG. 24 are preceded by the number “8” in an “800 series”.The description of such like elements will not be repeated. For example,when viewing an element in FIG. 24, to determine the designation of theelement and its description, simply note the last two digits of thenumber and refer to that number in the earlier part of thespecification. As a further clarification, perimeter wall 812 of FIG. 24is similar to perimeter wall 12 of FIG. 3, perimeter wall 112 of FIG.16, perimeter wall 212 of FIG. 18, perimeter wall 312 of FIG. 19,perimeter wall 412 of FIG. 22, perimeter wall 512 of FIG. 23, perimeterwall 612 of FIG. 25 and perimeter wall 712 of FIG. 26.

[0106] The structure illustrated in FIG. 24 is unique from the otherforms of the invention shown in that the perimeter wall 812 issymmetrical about axis 804 ₁ providing substantially equal bidirectionaltorque transmitting force. In other words, because of the configurationof the recess of the screw fastener and the matching driver, the forcetransmitted to a screw fastener by a driver in inserting a fastener isthe same as in backing out the screw fastener from a work piece.

[0107] Still another feature of the form of the invention illustrated inFIG. 24 is the fact that a standard square configured driver can be usedto insert or back out the fastener illustrated in FIG. 24. This verypractical feature is illustrated by the polygonal central portion 813which forms a perfect square such as a standard square shanked driver.

[0108] Specifically, referring to FIG. 24, the article of manufacturefor use in a torque transmitting system or the fabrication of componentsfor such a system includes: a body 801 including an axis 804; the body801 having a modified polygonal cross section 811 defined by a perimeterwall 812; a polygonal central portion 813 positioned within theperimeter wall 812 and having an area less than the area of the modifiedpolygonal cross section 811; a drive walls 814 ₁, 814 ₂, 814 ₃, and 814₄ forming a portion of the perimeter wall 812 extending on a plane froma proximal end 815 outwardly from the polygonal central portion 813 to adistal end 816; a first outer wall 817, forming another portion of theperimeter wall 812 and disposed at an angle 819 to drive walls 814 ₁,814 ₂, 814 ₃, and 814 ₄ and having a distal end 820 terminating on theperimeter wall 812 and a proximal end 818 joining the distal end 816 ofthe drive walls 814 ₁, 814 ₂, 814 ₃, and 814 ₄. As previously explained,the configuration of the screw fastener illustrated in FIG. 24 may alsobe adapted to take the form of a driver, or a tool used for form therecess in the screw fastener.

[0109] The structure illustrated in FIG. 24 is unique by virtue of thefact that the distal end 816 of the drive walls 814 ₁, 814 ₂, 814 ₃, and814 ₄ and the distal end 820 of the first outer wall 817 lie on a commongreat circle 821 whose axis 804 ₁ is coincident with the axis 804 of thebody 801; and the drive wall 814 ₁ is substantially parallel to theradial axial plane 822 ₁ bisecting the adjacent walls of the polygonalcentral section. Thus as shown in FIG. 24, drive wall 814 ₁ is parallelto axial plane 822 ₁ bisecting perimeter line 813 ₁; drive wall 814 ₂ isparallel to axial plane 822 ₂ bisecting perimeter line 813 ₂; drive wall814 ₃ is parallel to axial plane 822 ₁ bisecting perimeter line 813 ₃;and drive wall 814 ₄ is parallel to axial plane 8222bisecting perimeterline 813 ₄. The foregoing structure maximizes the torque exerted by thedriver on the screw since the drive wall is further from the center ofrotation in the previously described fasteners except the fastenerillustrated in FIG. 22.

[0110] Force arrow 826 indicates the component of force exerted by adriver (not shown) exerted radially outwardly along radial axial plane829 against the side of the recess 807 of the fastener and whichintersects the intersection of drive wall 814 ₁ and first outer wall 817but which does not result in any rotational force being transferred tothe fastener. Arrow 827 indicates the resultant force line and arrow 828represents the amount of rotational force exerted by the driver (notshown) on the fastener body 801.

[0111] Another structural feature of the fastener illustrated in FIG.24, and which provides the bidirectional torque transmitting force, isthe fact that the recess is formed by a plurality of second outer walls823 having proximal ends 824 respectively joined to each of the distalends 820 of the first outer walls 817. As illustrated in FIG. 24, secondouter wall 823 is substantially parallel to the drive wall 814 ₁. Theform of the invention illustrated in FIG. 24 further differs from theprevious forms of the invention in that a third outer wall 846 has aproximal end 847 joining the distal end 825 of the second outer wall 823and a distal end 848. Distal end 848 of third outer wall 846 andproximal end 850 of fourth outer wall 849 lie generally on common greatcircle 821.

[0112] Perimeter wall 812 may further include a fourth outer wall 849having a proximal end 850 joining the distal end 848 of the third outerwall 846 and a distal end 851; a fourth drive wall 8144 having aproximal end 852 joining the distal end 851 of the fourth outer wall 849and a distal end 853 lying on the great circle 821; and the fourth drivewall 814 ₄ is substantially parallel to an axis 822 ₂ bisecting theadjacent wall 813 ₄ of the polygonal central portion 813.

[0113]FIG. 24A illustrates that drive walls 814 ₁, 814 ₂, 814 ₃, and 814₄ are parallel to the axis 804 of the body of the fastener and FIG. 24Billustrates that first outer walls 817 ₁, 817 ₂, 817 ₃, 817 ₄, of recess807 third outer walls 846, and fourth outer walls 849 are slanted atabout 3 degrees so that the fastener body 801 will “stick” to the driver(not shown), without necessarily magnetizing the driver.

[0114] Force arrows 830, 831 and 832 represent the components of forceexerted at a given point on third outer wall 846 and in relation toradial axial plane 833. Arrow line 830 represents the force exertedagainst the edge of the recess of the body 801 of the fastener and whichcontributes nothing to the rotation of the fastener body 801. Forcearrow 831 is a resultant force and force arrow 832 represents the forceexerted by a driver (not shown) against third outer wall 846 whichresults in rotation of the body 801 of the fastener. It is also to beunderstood that force arrow 832 when reversed 180° is the force at thisparticular point which would be exerted by a driver (not shown) whenbacking out the body 801 of a fastener.

[0115] An example of one use of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 5 in which a body 1 of a fastener such as a self drilling threadedscrew with a head 6 is formed with a recess 7 in accordance with thepresent invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first outer wall 17 ofthe fastener may have varying angular relationships with perimeter line13 ₁ and the angle 55 here illustrated is 10°. Likewise, the angle 54formed by second outer wall 234 of the fastener may have varying anglesbut is here shown as 5°.

[0116] Another use of the present invention is its application to a body1′ of a driver used to insert fasteners into a work piece. The end 5′ ofthe driver 1′ is configured as described in the present invention. Thetaper angle 56′ of the end 5′ of the driver may vary and is here shownas 3°. Preferably, the tip of the end 5′ of the driver is formed with acone shape in which the angle 57′ may vary, but is here shown as 20°.

I claim:
 1. An article of manufacture for use in a torque transmittingsystem or the fabrication of components for such a system comprising: a.a body including an axis; b. said body having a modified polygonal crosssection defined by a perimeter wall; c. a polygonal central portionpositioned within said perimeter wall and having an area less than thearea of said modified polygonal cross section; d. a drive wall forming aportion of said perimeter wall extending on a plane from a proximal endoutwardly from said polygonal central portion to a distal end; and e. afirst outer wall forming another portion of said perimeter wall andhaving a proximal end joining the distal end of said drive wall at anangle and a distal end terminating on said perimeter wall.
 2. A devicefor use in a torque transmitting system including a driver or thefabrication of components for such a system comprising: a. a bodyincluding an axis; b. said body having an outer polygonal cross sectiondefined by a perimeter wall; c. an inner polygonal central portionpositioned within said perimeter wall and having an area less than thearea of said outer polygonal cross section; d. a drive wall forming aportion of said perimeter wall extending on a plane from a proximal endoutwardly from said polygonal central portion to a distal end; e. afirst outer wall forming another portion of said perimeter wall andhaving a proximal end joining the distal end of said drive wall at anangle less than 90° and a distal end terminating on said perimeter wall;and f. said distal end of said drive wall and said distal end of saidfirst outer wall lie generally on a common great circle whose axis iscoincident with said axis of said body.
 3. A device according to claim 2wherein: a. said polygonal central portion is formed with a symmetricalconfiguration.
 4. A device according to claim 2 wherein: a. saidpolygonal central portion is a square.
 5. A device according to claim 2wherein: a. said drive wall is on a plane generally on a radial axis ofsaid axis of said body.
 6. A device according to claim 5 wherein: a.said perimeter wall comprises a plurality of drive walls each on aradially axial plane; b. said perimeter wall comprising a plurality ofsaid first outer walls with each proximal end respectively joining thedistal ends of said plurality of drive walls; and c. a plurality ofsecond outer walls having proximal ends respectively joined to each ofsaid distal ends of said first outer walls and having distal endsrespectively joined to the proximal ends of each of said successivedriver walls.
 7. A device according to claim 2 wherein: a. saidperimeter wall includes four drive walls and four first outer walls. 8.A device according to claim 2 wherein: a. said perimeter wall forms anasymmetrical geometric configuration.
 9. A device according to claim 2wherein: a. said drive wall is on a plane substantially parallel to saidaxis of said fastener.
 10. A device as described in claim 2 wherein: a.said substantially non-driving portion of said perimeter wall of saidfastener and said registering driver have an area substantially greaterthan said drive walls of said fastener and said registering driver. 11.A device according to claim 2 wherein: a. said device is a screwfastener for engaging a correspondingly shaped drive tool.
 12. A deviceaccording to claim 2 wherein: a. said device is a drive tool forengaging a correspondingly shaped fastener.
 13. A device according toclaim 2 wherein: a. said device is a forming tool for forming a recessin a screw [said] fastener body and having a perimeter wallconfiguration as defined.
 14. A device according to claim 2 wherein: a.said device is a fastener having a driving head thereon, which drivinghead has an external configuration within which said perimeter wall iscontained.
 15. A device according to claim 2 wherein: a. said device isa threaded nut for a bolt having an external configuration within whichsaid perimeter wall is contained.
 16. A device according to claim 2 forcoupling with a driver at one end and coupling at the other end with afastener having an externally configured driving head wherein: a. saiddevice is a coupling socket member having a pair of oppositely, butaxially positioned recesses in which one of said recesses couples withsaid driver and the other recess couples with said driving head of saidfastener.
 17. A device according to claim 2 comprising: a. a pluralityof second outer walls having proximal ends respectively joined to eachof said distal ends of said first outer walls and having distal endsrespectively joined to the proximal ends of each of said successivedrive walls; and b. said first outer wall is substantially longer thansaid second outer wall.
 18. A device according to claim 3 comprising: a.said distal end of said drive wall and said distal end of said firstouter wall lie generally on a common great circle whose axis iscoincident with said axis of said body; b. said drive wall is on a planegenerally on a radial axis of said axis of said body; c. a plurality ofsecond outer walls having proximal ends respectively joined to each ofsaid distal ends of said first outer walls and having distal endsrespectively joined to the proximal ends of each of said successivedrive walls; and d. said first outer wall is substantially longer thansaid second outer wall.
 19. A device according to claim 2 comprising: a.said distal end of said drive wall and said distal end of said firstouter wall lie generally on a great circle whose axis is coincident withsaid axis of said body; and b. said drive wall is on a plane generallyon a radial axis of said axis of said body.
 20. A device according toclaim 1 wherein: a. said drive wall is canted at an angle ofapproximately 5° in a clock wise direction from an axis bisecting theadjacent wall of said polygonal central portion.
 21. A device accordingto claim 2 wherein: a. said perimeter wall is symmetrical about saidaxis providing substantially equal bidirectional torque transmittingforce.
 22. A device according to claim 2 comprising: a. said distal endof said drive wall and said distal end of said first outer wall liegenerally on a common great circle whose axis is coincident with saidaxis of said body; b. said drive wall is substantially parallel to anaxis bisecting the adjacent wall of said polygonal central section; c. asecond outer wall having a proximal end joining the distal end of saidfirst outer wall and having a distal end; and d. said second outer wallis substantially parallel to said drive wall.
 23. A device according toclaim 22 comprising: a. a third outer wall having a proximal end joiningsaid distal end of said second outer wall and a distal end lyinggenerally on said common great circle; b. a fourth outer wall having aproximal end joining said distal end of said third outer wall and adistal end; c. a fourth drive wail having a proximal end joining saiddistal end of said fourth outer wall and a distal end lying on saidgreat circle; and d. said fourth drive wall is substantially parallel toan axis bisecting the adjacent wall of said polygonal central portion.24. A device for use in a torque transmitting system including a driveror the fabrication of components for such a system comprising: a. a bodyincluding an axis; b. said body having an outer polygonal cross sectiondefined by a perimeter wall; c. an inner polygonal central portionpositioned within said perimeter wall and having an area less than thearea of said outer polygonal cross section; d. a drive wall forming aportion of said perimeter wall extending on a plane from a proximal endoutwardly from said polygonal central portion to a distal end; e. afirst outer wall forming another portion of said perimeter wall andhaving a proximal end joining the distal end of said drive wall at anangle and a distal end terminating on said perimeter wall; f. saiddistal end of said drive wall and said distal end of said first outerwall lie generally on a common great circle whose axis is coincidentwith said axis of said body; and g. said drive wall lies along a planeintersecting said axis of said body.
 25. A device for use in a torquetransmitting system including a driver or the fabrication of componentsfor such a system comprising: a. a body including an axis; b. said bodyhaving an outer polygonal cross section defined by a perimeter wall; c.an inner polygonal central portion positioned within said perimeter walland having an area less than the area of said outer polygonal crosssection; d. a drive wall forming a portion of said perimeter wallextending on a plane from a proximal end outwardly from said polygonalcentral portion to a distal end; e. a first outer wall forming anotherportion of said perimeter wall and having a proximal end joining thedistal end of said drive wall at an angle and a distal end terminatingon said perimeter wall; f. said distal end of said drive wall and saiddistal end of said first outer wall lie generally on a common greatcircle whose axis is coincident with said axis of said body; and g. saidfirst outer wall is substantially longer than said drive wall.